Gender Inequality in Malidino Biodiversity Community-based Reserve, Senegal: Political Parties and the 'Village Approach'

Background

This research examines some of the less visible, and ongoing social dynamics in a World Bank-funded conservation site in central Senegal. The goal of the World Bank project was to create a decentralized and community-based participatory forest management program that would re-structure the political economy of the charcoal industry, give more rights and autonomy to the local community, emphasize improved gender equity, and provide technical assistance to NGOs and community-based organizations.

Conclusions & Takeaways

Through Bandiaky's research, she found that the World Bank project has exacerbated inequalities that already existed within the community. Despite that women are presented as having a strong leadership presence, their actual power was insignificant. Furthermore, there were wedges between majority and minority ethnic groups, and party politics.